American Diabetes Association Applauds CMS Final Rule on Frequency and Duration of Medical Nutrition Therapy Benefit

3/1/2002

From: Mark Overbay of the American Diabetes Association, 703-549-1500 ext. 2290

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 1 -- Today the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued long-awaited regulations regarding reimbursement for dietitians for the provision of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for people with diabetes.

"The American Diabetes Association is pleased with the thoughtful analysis set forth by CMS regarding coverage for the provision of medical nutrition therapy for people with diabetes," said Anne E. Daly, MS, RD, BC-ADM, CDE, President, Health Care and Education, American Diabetes Association. "We have always maintained that medical nutrition therapy and diabetes self-management training (DSMT) are two necessary and distinct, but complementary, services integral to diabetes care."

According to the regulations, because the two benefits provide different behavioral modification techniques, "which may prove to be complementary," CMS will cover both DSMT and MNT up to their specified limits in the initial year.

In addition, the regulations state that for follow-up DSMT, there is no information to demonstrate that nutrition therapy would necessarily be the topic of follow-up DSMT. CMS' regulations and instructions do not require that nutrition be a part of DSMT follow-up services. If the treating physician determines that receipt of both services is medically necessary, Medicare will cover both DSMT and MNT in subsequent years without decreasing either benefit as long as DSMT and MNT are not provided on the same dates of services.

"Medical nutrition therapy is an essential component of diabetes management," added Daly. "This decision is a victory for people with diabetes and will provide the broadest and most comprehensive educational benefit."

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. The Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information about diabetes, call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383), or visit www.diabetes.org.